The thought process is that the Orioles send Adley back to the PNW, while maintaining 4 years of an elite 25 year old catcher. The Brewers who are ready to use Jefferson Quero now, have Harry Ford to come up in 2025 and split the time with Quero, and still has the defensive versatility with his plus speed to help out at 2B, 3B, or maybe an outfield corner. The Mariners keep using Raleigh as a starting catcher against RHP, while Rutschman starts against all LHP, and can be a late inning replacement behind the plate, when the Mariners need to pinch hit for Cal against a LHP (I see the Mariners adding Rooker), while Adley would get significant time at 1B (80+ games), while also getting time at catcher (55+ games), and at DH (10-15 games). The Brewers walk away with 5 current or past Top 100 prospects, all have 6+ years of control, while only sacrificing the last year of Burnes (Grayson may be better anyway as soon as 2024 or 2025), two years of Williams (don't need a closer for a reset), and 4 years of a catcher with a ready replacement waiting to take over. Considering the rotational depth issues facing Milwaukee in 2024 and the cost of young starters, getting a potential ace and a #3 or #4 by trading from depth makes a lot of sense. The Brewers should be fine with their current bullpen without Devin W., and this will save them $21M to allocate towards other needs. Kelenic steps into RF, moving Yelich to LF, and Cole Young projects as the future starting SS in 2024 and beyond. The Mariners fans are going to be upset about losing Gilbert, for what reason, I have no idea, he's not good against the AL West and while he should get markedly better over the next few years, Bradish does damage against the AL West, so it's all about fit and the Mariners get another pre-arb season, saving $5M by swapping the two, which should buy them time while they offload Ray next offseason when he proves he's healthy again. Bryce Miller gives the Orioles 3 starters to replace Rodriguez and Bradish. The Orioles rotation becomes significantly more formidable with Burnes, Gilbert, Miller, Means, and Kremer over Bradish, Rodriguez, Means, Kremer, and Irvin. Bautista hurts losing, but he wouldn't be available until 2025 and would take up a roster spot, something the Mariners can work around with less young talent clamoring for playing time in the majors and inclusion on the 40-man roster. Locklear immediately steps into the void left by Mountcastle or O'Hearn sometime between 2024 and 2025, depending on productivity by the Orioles current 1B & DH, as well as the desire for the team to trade either for additional pieces. Jerry Dipoto sees a young Goldschmidt in Locklear and the minor league production gives reason to at least consider the comp. The Mariners get a two closers, one who'll sit on the shelf for a year, while another who can help in 2024. Tyler Wells becomes something of an enigma on the team as he could be a middle or long reliever, 5th starter until Robbie Ray returns midseason, or he could be hidden in Tacoma, as he has two remaining options. Either way, he's the sneaky depth piece the Mariners were missing last year when Gonzales and Ray both went down with injuries. Wells also has had success against the AL West, making him a better roster fit for Seattle than the Orioles. The Mariners would enter the 2024 season with a rotation of Castillo, Bradish, Kirby, Woo, and Wells, with room to potentially add Snell and/or Yamamoto, if either of those negotiations gain traction with Woo than being able to be flipped for a controllable bat and Wells, rotating to the bullpen or Tacoma, until needed. Rutschman has experience at 1B in college and the minor leagues, with a full Spring Training to work with the great infield coach Perry Hill, he should be able to hold his own as a part-time 1B & catcher. This also creates an opportunity for the Mariners in a separate transaction to acquire Brent Rooker to be the 1B against LHP and to get some spot starts in an outfield corner or DH. While Orioles fans love Adley and Bautista, the reality is that Contreras was the better catcher in 2023, the rotation is one of the best in the league after this trade, and the Orioles will need to find some guys to complement Cano and Perez in the back of the bullpen either way, but this means they use their financial resources to add Josh Hader (a MD native), and maybe Robert Stephenson or Jordan Hicks with the money they save by avoiding the FA market for starters.

Brewers say no. This hurts them on the mound, on defense, and on offense. Contreras is untouchable so the trade for Milwaukee is dead right away. Quero isn't ready to be a starting catcher in the big leagues. He still hasn't seen AAA. The Brewers aren't going to trade Contreras who is their best hitter, for a guy who may not be good enough to catch in the big leagues. Williams was the NL reliever of the year and leaves the bull pen minus anybody to close. Milwaukee is loaded with OFs and wouldn't want Kelenic. The Brewers are trying to extend Adames so Young isn't needed in a trade like this.